Harmer named Sarasota County administrator

Published: Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at 5:54 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at 5:54 p.m.

SARASOTA - Not much was said. The Sarasota County commissioners had already discussed and decided on who should lead their staff.

With a quick vote Tuesday, they signed off on his contract — a $190,000 salary plus business expenses, car allowance and benefits — and Tom Harmer became county administrator.

Harmer, 55, has been interim administrator since October, when the commission fired his predecessor, Randall Reid. Harmer previously spent a year-and-a-half as deputy county administrator.

Initially, the board planned to judge Harmer over a six month interim stint and then possibly offer him the job. But after three months, they made up their minds.

Commissioners said during that time staff, community members and even Manatee County officials applauded their choice.

Commissioner Joe Barbetta said he was recently at a Lido Key Residents Association meeting that Harmer also attended. Afterward, an association member warned him, "You better not let this guy go."

Staff previously had lost trust in county administration, said Commissioner Carolyn Mason, but Harmer was earning it back by listening to their concerns and addressing them.

"He shows me that he treats people as he wants to be treated," Mason said.

When Harmer was named interim administrator he wrote a letter to staff advising that, "We can be most successful if we focus on getting the job done and minimizing distractions."

Tuesday night he planned to go home and draft another message to staff, who he credited with keeping the county running smoothly amid turbulent leadership.

As interim administrator, Harmer said he focused on the day-to-day aspects of overseeing 2,100 employees and making sure services continued without a hiccup. Now, he can focus on a longer-term approach to management.

His contract negotiations with County Attorney Stephen DeMarsh went smoothly, Harmer said.

The contract includes similar provisions and pay to Reid's. The board can fire Harmer with two three-person votes two weeks apart and not pay him severance if he violates certain rules, including gross negligence in handling county affairs or willfully disregarding board demands.

Before Reid hired Harmer as his deputy, Harmer spent six years overseeing real estate projects and public-private development for The Pizzuti Cos. in Orlando. Because of that background, commissioners said he has a sense of urgency and is open-minded when working with local businesses.

He also taught public administration and emergency management at University of Central Florida.

Prior to his private-sector experience Harmer spent 26 years in the public arena, including more than seven years as city manager of Titusville, a city of roughly 40,000 on Florida's space coast. He was also fire chief and emergency manager there.

<p><em>SARASOTA</em> - Not much was said. The Sarasota County commissioners had already discussed and decided on who should lead their staff. </p><p>With a quick vote Tuesday, they signed off on his contract — a $190,000 salary plus business expenses, car allowance and benefits — and Tom Harmer became county administrator.</p><p>Harmer, 55, has been interim administrator since October, when the commission fired his predecessor, Randall Reid. Harmer previously spent a year-and-a-half as deputy county administrator. </p><p>Initially, the board planned to judge Harmer over a six month interim stint and then possibly offer him the job. But after three months, they made up their minds.</p><p>Commissioners said during that time staff, community members and even Manatee County officials applauded their choice.</p><p>Commissioner Joe Barbetta said he was recently at a Lido Key Residents Association meeting that Harmer also attended. Afterward, an association member warned him, "You better not let this guy go."</p><p>Staff previously had lost trust in county administration, said Commissioner Carolyn Mason, but Harmer was earning it back by listening to their concerns and addressing them.</p><p>"He shows me that he treats people as he wants to be treated," Mason said.</p><p>When Harmer was named interim administrator he wrote a letter to staff advising that, "We can be most successful if we focus on getting the job done and minimizing distractions."</p><p>Tuesday night he planned to go home and draft another message to staff, who he credited with keeping the county running smoothly amid turbulent leadership.</p><p>As interim administrator, Harmer said he focused on the day-to-day aspects of overseeing 2,100 employees and making sure services continued without a hiccup. Now, he can focus on a longer-term approach to management. </p><p>"Obviously I'm excited to get past the transition role," Harmer said. "I'm shifting my thinking a little bit."</p><p>His contract negotiations with County Attorney Stephen DeMarsh went smoothly, Harmer said. </p><p>The contract includes similar provisions and pay to Reid's. The board can fire Harmer with two three-person votes two weeks apart and not pay him severance if he violates certain rules, including gross negligence in handling county affairs or willfully disregarding board demands.</p><p>Before Reid hired Harmer as his deputy, Harmer spent six years overseeing real estate projects and public-private development for The Pizzuti Cos. in Orlando. Because of that background, commissioners said he has a sense of urgency and is open-minded when working with local businesses. </p><p>He also taught public administration and emergency management at University of Central Florida.</p><p>Prior to his private-sector experience Harmer spent 26 years in the public arena, including more than seven years as city manager of Titusville, a city of roughly 40,000 on Florida's space coast. He was also fire chief and emergency manager there.</p>